The last day beckons, only <100kms to Nice and the conclusion of the OFC's Alps Ride. Another warm sunny morning awaits us from our starting point out front of the Hotel Valdeblore in Valdeblore (La Bolline). Pretty good hotel this....a bit quirky but with nice rooms.

Reflecting back to last night, Phil, Graham and I ventured into the town square for the party that was advertised on posters around the town. Under cover in the market square they had a DJ setup with lights etc. Plenty of people drinking and dancing. The beer wasn't too good though.

Back to current reality, before heading down for breakfast at 7am on a Sunday morning we could hear this guy banging on a drum for 5mins. He was calling out loud, sounded like he had been locked out of his house. That wasn't the case though as we were about to find out.

A little later we were sitting calmly devouring breakfast when the drum started again, with a couple of flutes playing as well. Next thing we see some young kids walking past followed by some teenage dancing girls and then the flautists & drummers bringing up the rear. What a racket for 7:15am on a Sunday morning. Appaprently the entourage is a traditional event that it is all part of this village fete.

So a light hearted start to the day!

Everyone was keen to get away. Nice is 90kms away and mostly a downhill ride. First step though is to complete the Col St Martin, a further 500m of ascent away from Valdeblore.

We knocked that sucker over in <1hour and at the summit town of La Colmiane we stopped to regroup. Just at that point the heavens opened and we scored our first serious dousing of rain over the whole week.

"Lets have a coffee and wait for the rain to blow over"...good idea! So we made our way into the closest cafe. With 13 people walking through your door to buy coffee you would think that the proprietor would be happy that we intended to bring him some custom. Not this grumpy old b******. He had a sour look on his face and wanted us to sit at a table that was below his leaking skylight window. We objected and told him to stick his coffee. Good job there was another coffee shop 50m up the road.

Rain subsided and on our way again we descended down to a pretty little town called St Martin de Vesubie.Market day here, plus they had a fete happening too....Fete de Pain.

Further on we regrouped at Roquebilliere. Then again past St Jean de la Riviere for lunch.

Only 30kms now down a slight grade into Nice.

We made it!

Straight down to the Promenade des'Anglais for some photos and a beer or two. After checking into our hotel Phil and I ventured down to the beach for a swim and a coupld of Mojitos on the beach front.

Dinner at an Italian place in the middle of the eating strip followed by a few drinks at the Metropolitan, listening to a solo guitarist.

In bed by 1:00am.

Job done. Really tough ride, hot conditions for the most part. All the guys were weary but happy they had finished.

750kms plus >15,000m of vertical ascent. Well known Tour de France climbs like Colombiere, Aravis, Iseran, Izoard, Galibier, Telegraph, Alpe d'Huez, Bonnette, Vars, Saisses, Cormet de Roselend and a few obscure climbs like Les Gets, St. Martin all behind us.

Pity we didn't get to do Col du Dragon. Long story for another day.

Great trip! Great company! Ian, Graham and Quentin looked after us in the grandest manner.

Bravo Pleinair Pyrenees!